These 104 stories from the 15th International Conference on the Short Story in English, held in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2018, represent the vast diversity this conference series has grown to represent. From its humble but ambitious beginnings we have grown to include writers and scholars from every continent and over 40 countries. This is truly a global anthology of short stories including both established authors and aspiring writers. However, none of this would have been possible without the incredible support of the writers and scholars themselves.
They have worked with me and the various conference co-directors and committees in finding both the time and resources to participate in this conference since 1988. We are truly humbled by the generosity, the dedication, and the professionalism that all participants have displayed throughout these thirty years. It is to them that we both owe and dedicate this anthology. We hope you enjoy reading this text as much as we have enjoyed putting together both the International Conference on the Short Story in English over the years and this 2018 anthology.